MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte wants Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as his running mate if he decides to run for president in the 2016 polls.
Duterte said he and Cayetano briefly discussed the possibility of forming a tandem for 2016 during their private dinner on Tuesday night, the same day after the senator declared his vice presidential bid in Davao City.
The mayor clarified that the decision is not yet finalized since he is still deciding if he will run for president.
"Si Alan? Of course. He is a lawyer. He's very articulate, marunong," Duterte said when asked if Cayetano has a potential to be the country’s next vice president.
“We were just making some projections. We also talked about team-ups and tandems, but nothing definite. Hanggang ngayon, sabi ko, hindi pa naman ako kandidato,” he said.
Duterte said they are similar in their “good grasp of the practical solutions for [the country’s] problems,” including poverty and the need to improve the economy through adequate infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Cayetano was thankful for Duterte’s support in his vice presidential bid.
Cayetano said he is willing to wait for the final decision of Duterte.
“A good partner is worth waiting for,” he said.
Cayetano from the Nacionalista Party formally announced his vice presidential bid in Davao City on Tuesday. He met with Duterte after his declaration, accompanied by his sister Sen. Pia Cayetano.
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